Science

At Thornhill Primary School, we want our children to love science. We teach science to be mainly of a practical nature, aiming to draw upon children’s own everyday experiences to get them motivated, curious and excited about their learning. ​This begins in the Early Years through developing inquisitive independent happy learners using a holistic approach to learning.

Our children will acquire and develop knowledge that has been established to ensure full coverage of the National Curriculum and to foster a sense of wonder about natural phenomena. alongside the application of the working scientifically skills of comparative and fair testing; pattern seeking; grouping and classifying; modelling and researching. ​
We want our children to have a broad vocabulary. Scientific language is to be taught and built upon as topics are revisited in different year groups and across key stages.

The curriculum

The national curriculum will be followed for our science teaching. During Reception, in accordance with the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage, focus will be put on the early learning goals, with the scientific aspect of pupils’ work relating to the objectives set out within the framework.

During Years 1 and 2 pupils will be taught to:

Work Scientifically

  • Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways
  • Observe closely , using simple equipment
  • Perform simple tests
  • Identify and classify
  • Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions
  • Gather and record data to help in answering questions

During Years 3 and 4 pupils will be taught to:

Work Scientifically

  • Ask relevant questions and use different different types of scientific enquiries to answer them
  • Set up simple practical enquiries, comparative and fair tests
  • Make systemic and careful observations and, where appropriate, take accurate measurements using standard units and a range of equipment, including thermometers and data loggers
  • Gather, record, classify and present data in a variety of ways to help answer questions
  • Record findings using simple scientific language, drawings, labelled diagrams, keys, bar charts and tables
  • Report on findings from enquiries, including oral and written explanations, displays or presentations of results and conclusions
  • Use results to draw simple conclusions, make predictions for new values, suggest improvements and raise further questions
  • Identify differences, similarities or changes related to simple scientific ideas and processes
  • use straightforward and scientific evidence to answer questions or to support their findings

During Years 5 and 6, pupils will be taught to:

Working Scientifically

  • Plan different types of scientific enquiries to answer questions, including recognising and controlling variables where necessary
  • Take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate
  • Record data and results of increasing complexity using scientific diagrams and labels, classification keys, tables, scatter graphs, bar and line graphs
  • Use test results to make predictions to set up further comparative and fair tests
  • Report and present findings from enquiries, including conclusions
  • Identify scientific evidence that has been used to support or refute ideas or arguments

The long term plan for science can be found here.

Where possible, the science curriculum will provide opportunities for cross curricular links with other curriculum areas. Pupils writing skills are developed through recording their planning, what they observe and what they found out. pupils use their knowledge and understanding of measurement and data handling to support their science work.

Enrichment

Visits to science shows and activity days will be used to enrich our curriculum and support our teaching. The outdoors and forest school may also be used to support the curriculum.